What Are Sub-Genres?

In literature, a genre is a specific category of writing, which is determined by the style of the prose, its tone, and whether or not the story told is true or fictitious. In a technical sense, there are four primary genres: poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and drama; you can read more about these genres by clicking here. Within each of these genres are a series of categories, including romance, horror, thriller/suspense, science fiction/fantasy, and mystery/crime, which are the typical terms that come to mind for most people when they think about genres. And within those categories, according to Writer’s Digest, there are 114 sub-genres.

So, what are sub-genres?

In the most basic sense, a sub-genre is a small group within a category that is more specific than the broader selection. For example, in poetry, Edgar Allen Poe is known for writing horror, while Walt Whitman is known for transcendentalism and realism; both are forms of poetry, but typically appeal to very different reader bases. Likewise, to use a film example, the movies Titanic and Fool’s Gold both feature love stories that take place on or near the ocean, but Titanic is a tragic drama while Fool’s Gold is a romantic comedy. Both have aspects of romance, but one has a heart-breaking ending while the other is heart-warming.

To continue with the example of romance as a genre in literature, as the Writer’s Digest article linked above explains, the sub-genres of romance include:

• Chick-Lit
• Christian
• Contemporary
• Erotica (also known as “romantica”)
• Glitz/Glamor
• Historical
• Multicultural
• Paranormal
• Romantic Comedy
• Romantic Suspense
• Sensual
• Spicy
• Sweet
• Young Adult

Each of these sub-genres of romance will, naturally, feature elements of falling in and out love, conflict, and some level of sexual tension. However, the way these elements of the story are presented—and the level of detail of each—will vary based on the other aspects of the story. For example, a Young Adult romance might feature first kisses or other “first” sexual experiences, but the details will not be included; sexual encounters would be implied, not described. By comparison, in a Sensual romantic novel, sexual experiences would be described, but without becoming graphic like Erotica. All three books tell a sort of love story, but each is inherently unique in its presentation.

As a writer, sometimes it can be difficult to identify your genre prior to finishing your first full manuscript draft, though you may have an idea based on the story you want to tell. It’s okay if you don’t know which sub-genre your story fits into until its written, but make sure you’re able to correctly identify that by the time you begin the query process if you choose to pursue traditional publishing, because it will show agents and acquisitions editors that you understand the market. Similarly, if you choose to self-publish, knowing the correct sub-genre for your book will help you market it and find your target readers. Occasionally, a manuscript may span different genres; if that’s the case with your manuscript, just make sure you understand which genres your book is blending and that you’re able to concisely and accurately communicate this if you are pursuing the traditional publishing route.

You may have heard of identifying your target readers referred to as “knowing your audience.” No matter which terminology you use, knowing your target readers is crucial for success, because while it’s true that even people who generally prefer science fiction might like the occasional thriller novel, majority of a book’s success will come from a specific group of readers who flock to a particular genre. If we think of a book as a letter, we know who target readers are once we know who the addressee is, which we can identify readily once we know a manuscript’s sub-genre. Likewise, being able to clearly and accurately place your manuscript in a sub-genre can help match you with an agent who is most passionate about books like yours, too, if you are pursuing an agent.

Knowing the sub-genre(s) your book fits into is helpful throughout the creative process. While drafting, it can help you to identify how to address certain aspects of your story. When you are self-editing, this knowledge can provide guidance on any elements you may be missing that will keep readers glued to the pages. And while querying, knowing your sub-genre(s) can help you connect with an agent or acquisitions editor who is more likely to be passionate about your manuscript. Although it can be tricky to identify at first, in the end, understanding the genre and sub-genre of your manuscript will help you to ultimately reach the readers who want to find your book, no matter the route you’re taking to publication.

---

Josha Publishing, LLC is a woman-founded, woman-owned, and woman-run company that is passionate about books, stories, and the power of words to change lives. Learn more about us here and remember to sign up for our newsletter to find out about new content, new books, and submissions update.

What Are Sub-Genres?

Tweet